Spectacle hinge construction and method for making the same



F. B. NEARY Sept. 5, 1967 SPECTACLE HINGE CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD FORMAKING THE SAME Filed Sept. 8. 1964 FIG. 4

4 T l m B S C N M F m 5 m A r \\\WA\W ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,339,224 SPECTACLE HINGE CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAMEFrancis B. Neal-y, Rochester, N.Y., assignor to Art-Craft OpticalCompany, Inc., Rochester, N.Y. a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 81964, Ser. No. 394,665 13 Claims. (Cl. 16-128) This invention relates toan improved spectacle hinge construction and more specifically to animproved concealed spectacle hinge construction suitable for either thespectacle frame or spectacle temple.

While there are known concealed hinges, my invention provides aconcealed hinge construction greatly improved in strength and othercharacteristics and a novel method for making the same. Therefore, it isgenerally an object of my invention to provide an improved concealedhinge construction for spectacles. Known hidden or concealed hingeconstructions comprise a hinge having a flange underlying the innersurface frame or temple in an undercut channel. The hinge is securedtovthe frame by a pair of screws to prevent displacement from thechannel. With specific reference to temple constructions, the screwstraverse the temple core, thereby greatly weakening the core itself.This does not provide a strong enough construction to withstand the heatapplied to the plastic frames at the time lenses are inserted therein.

Moreover, normal use of such spectacles results in loosening of thescrews. :Due to lack of a completely satisfactory hidden hingeconstruction, commercially the older construction has dominated thefield. Such older constructions provide a rivet or shield, the head ofwhich is on the outer or front surface of the spectacle frame andrigidly securedto the hinge on the inner or back surface of thespectacle frame. However, this presents an exterior decorative orornamental piece at each corner of the temple, and the spectacle frameis not aesthetically desirable, particularly for masculine spectacles.

My invention provides a completely suitable, concealed hingeconstruction greatly. strengthened structurally over prior knownconstructions. My construction will provide a strong hinge even afterheat is applied during insertion of the opthalmic lenses in the frameand will withstand normal use by the wearer thereafter.

Therefore, it is a further object of my invention to provide a strongerconcealed spectacle hinge construction than heretofore known.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to provide an improvedspectacle frame and temples free of ornamentation or embellishments onthe exposed exterior surface of the frame.

My invention comprises a hinge, a hinge plate, an undercut channelformed at a terminal end of either the spectacle frame member orspectacle temple member. The undercut channel is adapted to receive thehinge plate. In order to secure' the hinge and hinge plate in a rigidselected position relative to the channel, I provide means for lockingthe hinge to the spectacle'frame or temple at the selected position by akeying arrangement on the inner surface thereof and interconnecting thehinge with the hinge plate in a manner applying compressional forcetherebetween to that portion of the temple or frame between the channeland the inner face thereof. Therefore, it is a significant object of myinvention to provide a spectacle hinge construction of the nature justdescribed.

Inorder to provide the above described construction, I have found thatthe preferred manner of construction is to provide an undercutsubstantially T-shaped slot and a substantially T-shaped incross-section hinge plate to be received therein. The hinge plate isprovided with 3,339,224 Patented Sept. 5, 1967 a pair of rivets formedon the shank or leg of the T- shaped hinge plate. I provide a keyedrecess in the inner face of the temple or frame for receiving the hingein substantially flush relationship with the inner surface when therivets of the T-shaped hinge plate traverse a pair of holes provided inthe hinge. Therefore, it is a significant object of my invention toprovide a spectacle hinge construction of the nature just described.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be particularly setforth in the claims and will be apparent from the following description,when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric partial view of one embodiment of my spectacletemple and frame with the hinge and hinge plate removed and the templeand frame in an incompleted state illustrating the undercut T-shapedslot and key recess;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric partial view of the FIG. 1 embodiment ofthe spectacle frame including the hinge and the concealed hinge plateand filler strips;

FIG. 3 is an isometric partial view of my FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 embodimentspectacle frame in finished form;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 4 4 ofFIG. 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

My invention is particularly suitable for plastic spectacles. As usedhereinafter, the term plastic will be construed to include Zylonite',celluloid, or any other type of moldable material suitable for spectacleconstruction.

With reference to FIG. 1, I have illustrated a corner or end portion ofa plastic spectacle frame 10 and of a spectacle temple 12; however, itwill be understood that my temple and/or frame may be constructed of anysuitable material. By machine milling, I provide undercut channels 14and 14A extending substantially parallel to inner or back surfaces 16and 16A of frame 10 and temple 12 respectively. As used hereinafter, itwill be understood that the term undercut channel describes a channel orslot formed by machine milling, molding, or otherwise formedintermediate the front or outer surfaces 17 and 17A and back or innersurfaces 16 and 16A of the frame and temple I also provide transverseslots 18 and 18A transversely communicating with the undercut channels14 and 14A thereby to define an inverted substantially T-shaped undercutslot generally referred to by the numerals 20 and 20A respectively.

The left-hand ends, as viewed in the figures, particularly FIG. 4, oftransverse slots 18 and 18A terminate at 22 and 22A respectively shortof the left-hand ends of undercut channels 14 and 14A terminating at 24(FIG. 4) and as shown in broken line at 24 and 24A respectively in FIGS.1 and 2.

I provide key recesses 26 and 26A formed by milling or otherwise in theinner surfaces 16 and 16A respectively. These key recesses are adpatedto seat a hinge 28 (FIG. 2) in keyed relationship and with the innerexposed surface thereof substantially flush with the inner surfaces 16and 16A of the frame 10 and temple 12. The recesses 26 and 26A defineflanges 2'7 and 27A intermediate the channels 14 and 14A and innersurfaces 16 and 16A respectively. The left-hand end of transverse slots18 and 18A of the T-slots 20 'and 20A terminate at the left-hand ends ofthe recesses 26 and 26A or may terminate short of the left-hand end ofrecesses 26 and 26A, thereby defining the flanges 27 and 27A to be ofsubstantially U- shaped configuration surrounding the transverse slots18 and 18A respectively.

The T-slots 20 and 20A respectively are adapted to receive in slidingrelationship a concealed or hidden, substantially T-shaped incross-section hinge plate generally indicated by the numeral 30. Hingeplate 30 has an enlarged flat head portion 31 and a transverse uprightshank portion 32 which terminates short of the front or left-hand edgeof the head portion 31 to provide a front portion 36 of the head 31. Apair of spaced rivets 34 are formed out of the shank portion 32 bymachining and are adapted to be received in a pair of spaced bores 35 ofhinge 28.

According to the method of constructing my novel hinge 10 construction,the T-slots 20 and 20A are formed in the terminal ends of the frame 10and temple 12. Before or after forming the T-slots, the key recesses 26and 26A are formed on the inner surface 16 and 16A.

The hinge plate 30 is then inserted in T-slots 20 and 20A. When therivets 34 are received in the holes 35 of the hinge 28 and the hinge 28is seated in the recesses 26 and 26A, the head 31 of plate 30 underliesthe flange 27 and the front portion 36 of head 31 is received in theleft-hand end of channel 14 beyond the left-hand end 22 of transverseslot 18 as illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 4.

The terminal ends of the rivets 34 are then formed into rivet heads 37(FIGS. 4 and thereby interconnecting the hinge 28 and hinge plate 30 inkeyed and locked relationship with the frame and temple 12.

It will be noted from the sectional view (FIG. 4) that the upper surfaceof the shank portion 32 of the hinge plate 30 terminates short of theupper surface of the flange 27 and is spaced below the lower surface ofthe hinge 28. This construction defines an open space remainingintermediate the upper surface of the head 31 of the hinge plate 30 andthe lower surface of the hinge 28 even after the rivet heads 37 areformed, the purpose of which is to provide compressional force betweenthe hinge 28 and hinge plate 30 against the flange 27 (see FIG. 5) whenthe rivet heads 37 are formed thereby greatly increasing the rigidityand strength of the construction. It will be understood that in thismanner, should the front hinge become loose on the rivets, throughaccident, excessive use, or during heat treatment for insertion of thelens, the rivets may be tightened by re-riveting to restore them to theoriginal firmness and compression will again be exerted on the flange27.

Thereafter, I insert two plastic filler strips 38 and 40 in the undercutchannels 14 and 14A and transverse slots 18 and 18A respectively,thereby filling the vacant spaces in the T-slots and 20A. The fillersare cemented within the slots to strengthen my construction and improvethe appearance thereof. Thereafter the terminal end 17A of temple 12 isground and polished. However, the corresponding terminal end 17 of theframe 10 is milled or otherwise machined to remove the broken lineportion 45 of FIG. 2 thereby to define a terminal wrap-around or flapportion 46.

Flap 46 is heated until softened and is then wrapped around and cementedor otherwise bonded to an exposed end 48 of frame 10. This constructionprovides an improved aesthetic appearance and a stronger construction.The terminal end 17 of the flap or wrap-around portion 46 and an upperedge 50 of filler strip 40 are then machined and polished to provide afinished surface.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of mechanism of myinvention it will be apparent that various modifications and changes maybe made therein particularly in the form and relation of parts, withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In an improved spectacle hinge construction for at least one of aspectacle frame member or spectacle temple member,

(a) ahinge,

(b) ahinge plate,

(c) an undercut channel formed at one end of said one member adapted toreceive said hinge plate,

(d) a recess formed in an inner face of said one member defining aflange between said channel and said inner face, and

(e) means for interconnecting said hinge and binge plate and forapplying compressional force therebetween to said flange.

2. In an improved spectacle hinge construction for at least one of aspectacle frame member or spectacle ternple member,

(a) a hinge,

(b) a hinge plate having a head portion and a shank portionsubstantially T-shaped in cross-section,

(c) an undercut T-shaped slot formed at one end of said one memberadapted to receive said hinge plate,

((1) a recess formed in an inner face of said one member defining aflange between said channel and said inner face, and

(e) means for interconnecting said hinge and hinge plate and forapplying compressional force therebetween to said flange.

3. In an improved spectacle hinge construction for at least one of aspectacle frame member or spectacle temple member,

(a) a hinge,

(b) a hinge plate,

(0) an undercut channel formed at one end of said one member adapted toreceive said hinge plate,

(d) a key recess formed on an inner face of said one member adapted toreceive said hinge in keyed relationship, and

(e) means interconnecting said hinge and hinge plate when said hinge isreceived in said recess and said hinge plate is received in said channelthereby locking said hinge and hinge plate in position.

4. In an improved spectacle hinge construction for at least one of aspectacle frame member or spectacle temple member,

(a) a hinge,

(b) a hinge plate,

(0) an undercut channel formed at one end of said one member adapted toreceive said hinge plate,

(d) a key recess formed on an inner face of said one member adapted toreceive said hinge in keyed relationship, and

(e) means for interconnecting said hinge and hinge plate when receivedin said recess and channel respectively and for applying compressionalforce therebetween to a flange formed on said one member and defined bysaid channel and recess.

5. In an improved spectacle hinge construction for at least one of aspectacle frame member or spectacle temple member,

(a) a hinge,

(b) a hinge plate having a head portion and a shank portion and beingsubstantially T-shaped in crosssection,

(c) an undercut T-shaped slot formed at one end of said one member andbeing adapted to receive said hinge plate,

(d) means for interconnecting said hinge and hinge plate, and

(e) a filler strip having a T-shaped cross section of the sameconfiguration as said slot, said filler strip extending partially intoat least a portion of said slot from said one end.

6. In an improved spectacle hinge construction for at least one of aspectacle frame member or spectacle temple member,

(a) a hinge,

(b) a hinge plate having a head portion and a shank portion and beingsubstantially T-shaped in crosssection,

(c) an undercut T-shaped slot formed at one end of said one member andbeing adapted to receive said hinge plate,

((1) means for interconnecting said hinge and hinge plate, and

(e) a filler strip extending partially into at least a portion of saidslot from said one end, and a terminal wrap-around portion formed at anouter surface of said one end of said one member for facing said oneend.

7. In an improved spectacle hinge construction for at least one of aspectacle frame member or spectacle temple member,

(a) a hinge,

(b) a hinge plate having a head portion and a shank portion and beingsubstantially T-shaped in crosssection,

(c) an undercut T-shaped slot formed at one end of said one member andbeing adapted to receive said hinge plate,

(d) a key recess formed on an inner face of said one member adapted toreceive said hinge in keyed relationship, and

(e) means for interconnecting said hinge and said shank portion of saidhinge plate when said hinge is received in said recess thereby lockingsaid hinge and hinge plate in position.

8. In an improved spectacle hinge construction in accordance with claim7 in which said shank portion includes a pair of rivets adapted to bereceived in said hinge.

9. In an improved spectacle hinge construction in accordance with claim7 in which a shank portion of said slot and said hinge plate shankrespectively terminates short of a head portion of said slot and saidhinge plate head.

10. An improved method of constructing a hinge for at least one of aspectacle frame or spectacle temple member, comprising the steps of:

(a) forming an undercut channel at one end of said one member adapted toreceive a hinge plate,

(b) forming a key recess on an inner face of said one member adapted toreceive a hinge,

(c) inserting a hinge plate in said channel,

((1) inserting a hinge in said key recess, and

(e) interconnecting said hinge and hinge plate in a manner locking saidhinge and hinge plate respectively in said key recess and channel.

11. An improved method of constructing a hinge for at least one of aspectacle frame or spectacle temple member, comprising the steps of;

(a) forming an undercut substantially T-shaped slot at one end of saidone member adapted to receive a hinge plate of substantially T-shapecross-section,

(b) forming a key recess on an inner face of said one member adapted toreceive a hinge,

(c) inserting a hinge plate in said slot,

(d) inserting a hinge in said key recess, and

(e) interconnecting said hinge and hinge plate in a manner locking saidhinge and hinge plate respectively in said key recess and channel.

12. An improved method of constructing a hinge for at least one of aspectacle frame or spectacle temple member, comprising the steps of:

(a) forming an undercut substantially T-shaped slot at one end of saidone member adapted to receive a hinge plate of substantially T-shapedcross-section,

(b) inserting said hinge plate in said slot,

(c) interconnecting said hinge and hinge plate, and

(d) filling an open end of said slot with a filler strip having aT-shaped cross section of the same configuration as said slot therebylocking said hinge and hinge plate in a selected position relative tosaid slot.

13. An improved method of constructing a hinge for at least one of aspectacle frame or spectacle temple member, comprising the steps of:

(a) forming an undercut substantially T-shaped slot at one end of saidone member adapted to receive a hinge plate of substantially T-shapedcross-section,

(b) inserting said hinge plate in said slot,

(0) interconnecting said hinge and hinge plate, and

(d) filling an open end of said slot thereby locking said hinge andhinge plate in a selected position relative to said slot, and includinga step of forming a terminal wrap-around portion or an outer surface ofsaid one end of said one member and facing said one end with saidterminal wrap-around portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,241,904 3/1966 Ditto 351-153FOREIGN PATENTS 947,276 1/ 1964 Great Britain.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. EDWARD C. ALLEN, Examiner. D. L.TROUTMAN, Assistant Examiner,

1. IN AN IMPROVED SPECTACLE HINGE CONSTRUCTION FOR AT LEAST ONE OF ASPECTACLE FRAME MEMBER OR SPECTACLE TEMPLE MEMBER, (A) A HINGE, (B) AHINGE PLATE, (C) AN UNDERCUT CHANNEL FORMED AT ONE END OF SAID ONEMEMBER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID HINGE PLATE, (D) A RECESS FORMED IN ANINNER FACE OF SAID ONE MEMBER DEFINING A FLANGE BETWEEN SAID CHANNEL ANDSAID INNER FACE, AND (E) MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING SAID HINGE AND HINGEPLATE AND FOR APPLYING COMPRESSIONAL FORCE THEREBETWEEN TO SAID FLANGE.